SOTW: BMW 325i Touring

2.5 six-cylinder estate with RWD, for under £1000? Where do I sign?

By Garlick / Friday, 7 August 2009 / Loading comments

THe BMW 3 series has always been a desirable car, but in a time where every other car you see is a 3 series you have to wonder if the success of the range has made them less special?

It wasn’t long ago when an E30 3 series was a seriously desirable piece of kit; remember the solidity, the fantastic noise from the 6-cylinder versions and the well-sorted chassis. It was also a time when M-Sport stood for something and a car wearing the famous M badge usually had some special suspension at the very least.

Back in the late eighties or very early nineties (not entirely sure when it was), I remember Dad getting an E30 320i SE as a company car and did I feel like we had made it. In fact, I think we both did and that particular company car received more care and attention than most. However, at test drive time the dealer didn’t have a 320i available and so they loaned us a 325i Touring instead. At the time it was probably the fastest car that I had ever been in. It was certainly the best sounding, and at the time the Touring was still rare, generating stares and comments wherever we went. I’m not surprised, though, as the Touring was (and still is) a fine-looking car.

It wasn’t the most spacious estate you could buy, but in 325i form it offered 169bhp and, most important, had rear-wheel drive. It also had a lovely chassis, a precise gearbox and responsive steering to go with it. It was such a good car that I think it would be hard to find someone who wouldn’t run one of these cars as daily transport today.

I was quite surprised to find a Touring for shed money, but it seems that cars are out there if you look hard enough. Our own PistonHeads classifieds came up with this rather rough, but very ready 1989 325i with 186,000 miles on it. This one has the full M-Tec bodykit fitted as well as leather seats and steering wheel, although as you can see the drivers seat has seen better days. It’s not perfect - as the owner admits - but as it has had a recent service including a new cambelt, it should roll on for a fair few miles yet and has a decent amount of tax and test to boot. The most interesting point to note is that this car delivers a proven 180.6bhp, but as the owner doesn’t say how this increase was made we can only wonder if it was in particularly rude health from the factory, or if someone has been fiddling? I love it either way, and if the engine and bodywork are solid then it's worth a punt surely?

Advert Says: BMW 325i Touring. Black, manual, 1989, 186,000 miles. BMW 325i Touring manual in black, with a full M-TEC bodykit and leather sports steering wheel and gearknob, lowered, Recently serviced (Cambelt etc), 186k Miles, Cream leather interior (drivers seat worn), E/Sunroof, E/mirrors, E/windows Rolling roaded at 180.6 BHP with print out to prove. 11 months MOT & 6 months Tax Not perfect but not asking perfect money £995 ono